How do I pay my property taxes?

Property taxes may be paid in several ways, including online, by mail, or in person at one of our tax payment locations. Current taxes may also be paid at any Wells Fargo bank branch in Broward County.

I received a phone call from someone identifying themselves as the Broward County Tax Collector who requested financial information from me to pay my taxes over the telephone. Is this an acceptable way to pay my taxes?

No! Beware of any call you receive encouraging you to pay your taxes over the telephone. The Broward County Tax Collector will never call a taxpayer to solicit over-the-phone payments of current and/or delinquent taxes. Tax payments cannot be made over the phone.

Why is there a fee for paying taxes with a credit or debit card?

Florida Statute 215.322(5) authorizes governments to surcharge individuals who use a credit or debit card to pay their taxes an amount sufficient to pay the service fees charged by financial services companies for such services. Broward County resolution establishes the convenience fee schedule: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover 2.55% (min $2.00) approved Visa Debit Card $3.95 per transaction.

What do I do if I don’t receive a property tax bill?

If you do not receive a tax bill you can print your tax bill online or call the Broward County Call Center at 311, or 954-831-4000.

Can I spread my property tax payments out over time?

There is an installment plan for current taxes, and an installment plan for prepayment of next year’s taxes. It is the responsibility of taxpayers participating in each of these programs to ensure taxes are paid according to the schedule. The Broward County Tax Collector does not send monthly invoices or billing statements.

What should I do if I receive a tax bill for property I don’t own anymore OR What if I receive a tax bill for property I own that has the previous owner’s name on it?

I have declared personal bankruptcy. Am I still responsible for my property taxes?

Consult your bankruptcy attorney for advice on your particular situation. In many cases, as long as you still own the property and do not surrender it to the Trustee or the Court, you remain responsible for the taxes.

I just bought my home and paid taxes at the closing. Why am I getting a tax bill?Property taxes are associated with the property, not the property owner, and tax bills are not mailed until around November 1. As the new owner, you did not actually “pay” taxes at closing. You may have received a prorated credit for taxes from the previous owner, making you fully responsible for the entire amount. Review your closing documents or contact the institution that handled your closing to clarify any questions you have about this.

What determines the amount of my tax bill?

The amount of taxes you owe is determined by two things: the assessed value of the property, and the tax rate. The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office assesses the value of your property and applies eligible tax exemptions that can lower the taxable value of your property. The tax rate is determined by the entities that have taxing authority over the community in which your property is located. This would include the Broward County Commission, the Broward School Board, your municipality, a hospital district, multi-county districts such as the South Florida Water Management District, and others. The tax rate for each of these entities is expressed as dollars per thousand and multiplied by the assessed value. The sum of these amounts is the tax you owe.

Why is the tax bill I got two months ago different from the tax bill I got today?

The first notice you receive about your tax bill is the TRIM (Truth In Millage) Notice that is sent by the Property Appraiser's Office to inform you of proposed taxes. The TRIM notice contains the place and time where the various taxing authorities will meet to set the tax rate, but it is not a bill. The tax bill is sent after each taxing authority sets their tax rate. Each taxing authority is required to hold two public hearings before they set that rate, at which they welcome responsible comments from taxpayers.

I believe my property taxes are too high. What can I do?

Once you receive the TRIM (Truth in Millage) Notice advising you of your assessed property value and your proposed taxes, you can do the following:

If you believe your taxes are too high, contact the appropriate taxing authority. Each taxing authority is required to hold two public hearings before they set the tax rate, at which they welcome responsible comments from taxpayers.

If you believe your assessed property value is too high, contact the Property Appraiser's office. If you want to file a petition relating to the market value of your property and/or the denial of exemptions and classifications, contact the Value Adjustment Board. The Broward County Value Adjustment Board, composed of three members of the Broward County Commission and two members of the Broward School Board, is completely independent of the Broward County Tax Collector and the Property Appraiser’s Office.

Why did I receive an Information Notice instead of a tax bill OR Why did I receive a tax bill since my mortgage company escrows and pays my taxes?

If you receive an Information Notice, it means that the mortgage company or bank listed on the notice asked to receive the actual tax bill. If you receive a tax bill, it means that your mortgage company did not ask to receive the tax bill, and in fact may not have received it. In either situation, we urge you to call the mortgage company receiving the bill to clarify your questions and make sure that your taxes are paid.

I missed the early payment discount period because I never received a tax bill. Am I still entitled to the discount?

No. According to Florida Statute 197.122, property owners are required to know that taxes are due and payable annually. Failure to receive a tax bill does not relieve a taxpayer of responsibility for payment, nor constitute cause for cancellation of delinquent tax penalties and charges.

I just paid off my mortgage, and my taxes were being escrowed by my mortgage company. How do I start receiving my own tax bill?

Notify the mortgage lender advising them to take you off their escrow account and stop requesting to receive your tax bill. If you do not receive a tax bill you can print one online or call the Broward County Call Center at 311, or 954-831-4000.